Water leak closes Te Kamo Intermediate School in Whangārei

Kamo Intermediate School has been forced to close due to a 'major' water leak today. Photo / NZME

A major water leak has forced a Whangārei school to close so that urgent repairs can be carried out.

At about 12.40pm today, Te Kamo Intermediate School announced on Facebook that it had been advised of a major water leak outside the school grounds.

All water would need to be turned off, which meant the school had to close “effective immediately”.

Whangārei District Council said in a Facebook post that traffic was expected around the area while children were collected.

“Our contractors are on site and we’re working on the problem,” the post said.

Te Kamo Intermediate School principal Kim Sloan said Whangārei District Council advised the school water needed to be turned off following a water leak at a neighbouring property.

Initially, they were unsure how long the repair would take however they were since informed resolution was expected in four hours.

“In the interests of health and safety, we arranged for our students to make their way home after contacting parents and caregivers.”

A Ministry of Education spokesperson said it had offered support to the school if needed.

“School closures are decisions made by individual school boards who are best placed to assess the safety and well-being of their students and staff, and they will keep their communities updated through their regular channels.”

Whangārei District Council have been approached directly for comment.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.